Cryptofarm with hundreds of PS4 Pros raided in Ukraine | Engadget

The Security Service of Ukraine or SBU has discovered and raided a cryptocurrency mining farm that allegedly stole electrical energy from the nation’s energy grid. But as a substitute of findings computer systems, the company discovered racks with hundreds of PS4 Pros stacked vertically side-by-side. As reported by Kotaku, the Ukrainian authorities confiscated over 5,000 gaming-related units — 3,800 of which had been consoles — from a warehouse proper subsequent to (and previously owned by) the Vinnytsiaoblenergo vitality distribution firm. 

It’s the most important cryptofarm the SBU has found up to now, and the company believes it is being operated by folks residing within the cities of Kyiv and Vinnytsia. Apparently, the operators used particular electrical energy meters to forestall authorities from discovering the theft, which amounted to as a lot as US$257,000. “At the same time,” the SBU wrote in its announcement, “the illegal withdrawal of electricity could lead to more global consequences — entire neighborhoods of Vinnytsia could be left without electricity.” 

Vinnytsiaoblenergo denied any involvement in an announcement despatched to the Kyiv Post: “The equipment used for cryptocurrency mining has never operated on premises owned by our enterprise.” It additionally stated that it did not discover any proof of electrical theft and that the SBU’s findings “does not correspond to reality.” While it is unclear for the time being whether or not the power actually stole electrical energy or not, the SBU has revealed photos of the PS4 Pros it discovered on the warehouse, which you’ll be able to see beneath. As Kotaku notes, 3,800 consoles imply an funding of round US$1,500,000, assuming all of them are PS4 Pros.